Habari Gani? Ujamaa! Today is the fourth day of Kwanzaa, which focuses our attention on cooperative economics. Most times, I have seen this principle expressed in relation to Black-owned businesses, which is excellent, in my opinion. For my last post of the year, I chose to also point out attention towards charitable giving with the…
Reclaiming Our #BlackJoy
Can we as black people prioritize ourselves and our joy enough to just focus on it for 144 days? What happens when we hold our own joy close to our hearts where we can see it? These are the questions that inspired Seattle-based conceptual artist and cultural organizer Natasha Marin to launch “144 Days of…
Imani K. Brown: Tattoo Therapy, Afro-Kawaii Style
In just a few decades, tattoos have gone from being associated with sailors, bikers, and social rebels to becoming a popular form of self-expression among men and women of all backgrounds, ages, and races. Despite all its hyped-for-ratings drama, the reality TV show Black Ink Crew has raised the visibility of black tattoo artists in…
Does Black Music Month Still Matter?
For nearly 40 years now, we have been celebrating Black Music Month in June. In recent years, it has seemed to go by with little fanfare outside the black community and even then, we don’t always hear much about it. This year, we waited to see if Donald Trump would give a formal proclamation or…
Straight Outta Kenya: Meet Mwende “FreeQuency” Katwiwa, Poetic Changemaker
Did you know that May 25th is celebrated as Africa Day throughout the African continent and in parts of the global Black diaspora? Its purpose is to commemorate the founding of the Organization of African States (now known as the African Union) by freedom fighters like Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Emperor Haile Selassie of…
It Takes a (Digital) Village: Finding Your Online Mommy Tribe
I know, I know. Women have been birthing babies for thousands of years before Al Gore invented the Internet, and the human race is still going strong. Before mommy bloggers, Facebook groups and Pinterest boards, new mommies consulted (gasp!) people they actually knew – their mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and other women who had experienced childbirth…
Free Dat Ass! Bounce Music Meets Fitness and Black Girl “Moe Joe”
No matter what your fickle thermometer says, Spring is here: that self-conscious season when folks suddenly remember those abandoned resolutions in preparation for summer weather and summer clothes. Lately, it seems like every gym and fitness studio offers “twerkout” or “twerkercise”, but dancer and personal trainer Marissa “Moe Joe” Joseph has put a uniquely South…
Healing Hands: A Conversation with Itshanapa Dail Chambers
My strongest intention is focused on my healing hands. My healing hands can create the Reiki. My healing hands can create art. My healing hands can write. – Itshanapa The saying goes, “a woman’s work is never done,” but artist and healer Itshanapa Dail Chambers wears so many hats it’s almost dizzying. Visual artist. Poet….
Black Love Day Turns 25 Years Old Today!
I am a fan of black holidays. As a distinct culture within the United States, African Americans have a right – even a duty – to celebrate and reflect on our unique history and heritage.
28 Black Unicorns You Should Know
Wendell Oliver Scott August 29, 1921 – December 23, 1990 Wendell Oliver Scott was an American stock car racing driver. He was one of the first African-American drivers in NASCAR, and the first African-American to win a race in the Grand National Series, NASCAR’s highest level. Scott began his racing career in local circuits and…